Prognostic Role of Biologically Active Volume of Disease in Patients with Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma

This study characterized the prognostic impact of biologically active volume of disease (BaVD) in patients with newly-diagnosed metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. The study demonstrated that BaVD, defined using SUV thresholds of 3 and 4, has significant prognostic value, as both a continuous and binary metric. This supports using disease volume when selecting patients with prognosis that may warrant more aggressive therapies. Background: Number of metastatic sites can identify patient populations with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that benefit from aggressive therapy. Total volume of disease is also relevant. We evaluated the prognostic impact of biologically active volume of disease (BaVD) on patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) scans from patients with newly diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma prior to starting any therapy were identified. SUV thresholds of 3 and 4 were used to auto-contour all FDG avid areas. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were performed to examine influence on OS. Results: One hundred forty-eight patients were included in the analysis. The median BaVD when using an SUV threshold of 3 was 122.8 mL. The median BaVD when using an SUV threshold of 4 was 46.2 mL When stratified by median BaVD using an SUV of 3, median OS was higher for patients with < = 122.8 mL (2.12 years) compared to patients with > 122.8 mL (1.46 years) (log-rank P = .001). Similarly, when stratified by median BaVD using an SUV of 4, median OS was higher for patients with < = 46.2 mL (1.91 years; 95% CI: 1.65-3.22 years) compared to patients with > 46.2 mL (1.48 years; 95% CI: 1.07-1.80 years) (log-rank P = .007). On multivariable analysis, BaVD was significantly associated with OS when using an SUV threshold of 3 (HR: 20.169, P < .001) and 4 (HR: 4.117, P < .001). Conclusion: BaVD is an important prognostic factor in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma and may aid identification of patients with limited disease who may be candidates for more aggressive therapies.Clinical Lung Cancer, Vol. 24, No. 3, 244-251 (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.